An alum's guide to making it in journalism

Ashley Johnson is a broadcast journalist for PHL 17's Eye Opener News

During
a discussion hosted by College House Computing in their ‘Tech Talks’ series, 2007
College graduate Ashley spoke yesterday evening in
Harrison College House. She shared her experiences as a broadcast reporter for
PHL 17’s Eye Opener News, and her tips for making it in journalism:

1.
Have a variety of interests

“Having
a liberal arts background is what I would tell anyone made me such a
well-rounded person.”

“There
are so many topics that can be convoluted, so if you have basis and an
understanding it will help you break it down so that everyone in the world can understand.”

2.Wear many hats

“There are days, especially when you’re a one-man band, when you’re
writing and shooting and editing and cutting the package right up to the last
minute.”

“Whatever you do — when you’re arguing something you need to make
sure that you present your facts in a clear and accurate way.”

“I’d come in and I’d have some great ideas and my boss would be
like ‘No.’”

“I think that in this business there are some things you cannot
control and I’ve been on interviews and they didn’t really care that I went to [Penn].
“You will be someone’s cup of tea and other people — they don’t want anything
to do with you.”

6. Use social media to your advantage

“If you are on social media you make yourself stand out.”

“If you can build an audience that looks great to another
station, [they will think] ‘how does she have 15,000 viewers?’— that’s money.”

“More stations are starting to hire beat reporters.” “You should
be the first to know. You’re the name, you’re the face.”

“Everyone’s track is so different, there is no right way or a
wrong way.” She noted that the more versatile you make yourself, the more you
are able to pick and choose what you are most interested in reporting.

8.Stay sane

“For me, it’s keeping a humorous spirit."

“Everyday, I never know what’s going to happen I can think I’m
doing something and I can have the greatest idea and then something
really crazy happens…something always
happen and it keeps you on your toes.”